The secret to the reduction of stress starts with ‘P’

Jun 29, 2014 News

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By Dwijendra Rooplall
The current state of affairs in the world pertaining to the vicissitudes of life, within the realm of work, family and society and the seemingly fast-paced lifestyle that we consume ourselves with just to live a comfortable life has, for the greater part, increased our level of stress, which is proven can be deleterious to our health.
In order for us to live our lives with some sense of purpose and longevity, we must strike a balance and ensure that we keep our health in check. One of the ways we all know of how to do that is by exercising and eating a balanced diet of food and drinking lots of water.
What most of us might not know is that having a pet can contribute significantly towards improving our health by relieving our stress levels. Yes, that’s right, pets can do that. So for all you pet lovers out there, two thumbs up.
Scientific research has shown that persons who own pets are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets, and that people with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets. Moreover, it was proven that playing with a pet can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calms and relaxes in addition to lowering triglycerides and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) in persons that have pets.
What is worthy to note also is that heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without and pet owners over the age of 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
According to a trusted non-profit resource site Help Guide.org “while people with dogs often experience the greatest health benefits, a pet doesn’t necessarily have to be a dog or a cat. Even watching fish in an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and lower pulse rate.”
It says further that “one of the reasons for these therapeutic effects is that most pets fulfill the basic human need to touch. Even hardened criminals in prison have shown long-term changes in their behaviour after interacting with pets, many of them experiencing mutual affection for the first time. Stroking, holding, cuddling, or otherwise touching a loving animal can rapidly calm and soothe us when we’re stressed. The companionship of a pet can also ease loneliness, and some pets are a great stimulus for healthy exercise, which can substantially boost mood.”
I for one am a lover of animals, I spent most of my formidable days in the company of cats and dogs and have developed a deep appreciation and love for the affection and comfort that these animals can bestow onto us.
That being said, it is not all daises and roses where pets are concerned. While they remove stress, there are times when they would drive you up a wall. Additionally, caring for pets, especially now, can be a costly venture that requires a considerable amount of resources to maintain.
While I love dogs, I am more inclined to cats, and mine just recently gave birth to four lovely kittens, three of which have been adopted already. During her period of pregnancy my expenses doubled where her maintenance was concerned, because I had to buy four times the amount of cat food and three times the amount of cat litter for her pre- and post-pregnancy.
“Having a pet is not a miracle cure for mental illness. Owning a pet is beneficial and comforting only for those who love and appreciate domestic animals. If you’re simply not a “pet person,” pet ownership is not going to provide you with any therapeutic benefits or improve your life. For other people, owning a pet may simply not be practical” says Help Guide.org.
Apart from money, pets require time and attention and can be destructive.
“Any pet can have an occasional accident at home. Some cats may be prone to shredding upholstery, some dogs to chewing shoes. While training can help eradicate negative, destructive behavior, they remain common in animals left alone without exercise or stimulation for long periods of time” (Ibid).
Additionally pets require responsibility.
“Most dogs, regardless of size and breed, are capable of inflicting injury on people if not handled responsibly by their owners. Even cats can scratch or bite. Pet owners need to be alert to any danger, especially around children.” (Ibid)
More importantly pets carry health risks for some people “while there are some diseases that can be transmitted from cats and dogs to their human handlers, allergies are the most common health risk of pet ownership. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a pet allergy, carefully consider whether you can live with the symptoms before committing to pet ownership. Also consider that some friends or relatives with allergies may no longer be able to visit your home if you have a pet” says Help Guide.
While there are benefits to having pets, there are disadvantages as well, but the benefits far out way the disadvantages if you are a pet person or thinking about having a pet in your life.  If you decide that you are going to get a pet so that you will reduce stress that might not work out either, you have to genuinely love animals to derive that benefit. And if you decide that you want pets in your home, you have to look at factors such as your family in choosing a pet as well as take up the responsibility of mining them, whether it be a bird, fish, rabbit, cat, dog or reptile.

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